WHP // NYD Closing | Event Review

NYD is the new NYE.

On the first day of 2018, for a consecutive 12 hours, 2000 revelers united at the iconic Warehouse Project to celebrate the final show of the event series during its highly anticipated closing party. Nestled right in the heart of Manchester’s industrial district, the legendary event series that runs annually from about September until the start of January invited the scene’s leading and rising talents from house to techno and beyond to close out what has been said as one of the organization’s most successful event series to date. To protect my ears, I ensured I wore my Loop earplugs the entire night.

The sold-out event welcomed a lineup packed full of artists who paved the way throughout 2017 into the renowned spiritual home of The Warehouse Project, Store Street; a symbol of Manchester’s ever evolving scene. From Kim Ann Foxman to The Black Madonna, and Peggy Gou to Bicep, the timetable left no stone unturned to inflict every genre across the entire underground musical spectrum.

Bricks upon bricks guided the way as I entered the Store Street warehouse for my first time, just as the cars would on any other day in the what was now transformed carpark. Entering through the plastic flap doors, the music immediately rushed through my ears like waves crashing onto shore. Whilst entering the cavernous venue, I was instantly blown away by the alluring atmosphere that was already in full swing – seeing as we arrived a bit later than the better portion of the crowd.

After dropping my jacket off at the coat check, I decided to explore and get my bearings. Room 1 was the closest area to the front door, and the largest space where devoted party-goers scaled the area, flooding into the outskirts where I was stood. I managed to push my way through the crowd and find a decent spot to make some shapes moving to the sounds of HUNEE. Up next would be Motor City Drum Ensemble, and then to close out the evening: The Black Madonna and Bicep.

The Store Street warehouse was like a maze, one dark, red-illuminated maze, which would branch off into peculiar areas. At the back of the venue was a room with a much heavier techno beat protruding from the plastic flap doors. Inside Room 2 there were trickles of sweat dripping from the walls and roof of its lower ceiling. The hall was long and packed from front to back. Dancing to the soundscapes of the illicit underground, I tried to snatch up some videos but the room was so hot, my camera would just steam up. The music was great, but due to the congested air I didn’t last very long in there.

For anyone looking to experience Manchester’s historic underground electronic music scene, I would recommend checking out the Warehouse Project. The organization has been around running these events since 2006 and therefore know how to hit all the right points to throw a proper party. Needless to say, you will definitely be seeing us again there at the next edition – and NYD 2019.